Spines problems - micro rig?

[speed2dirt]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

Let us know how this works out. I'm still thinking about trying the 44 Magnum with my AMT SS-20, but I have a large jones for a Kasha Brick amp: http://rockmod335.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35&products_id=100

In my rack days, I used a Kasha Rockmod II preamp and it had the best clean and high gain sounds I've ever had, including Soldanos and a Mesa Mark IV (yes, tone is subjective). The Brick is a little pricey for a lunchbox, but I miss that tone, of course, the EH amp is < $150, and I like the direct tones from the AMT, so it might be worth a shot...

Let us know if you pick one up! I've been eyeing the Kasha Brick for awhile too. It looks really good, but there's just no demos anywhere. There were two Bricks on eBay in the last couple weeks that went for around $400. That puts it in the ballpark of other lunchboxes. I just want one nice demo of the thing before I pull the trigger blindly.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270827608611?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/260867935425?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[devastone]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

Yeah, I know, I was the 2nd highest bidder on the one that went for $405 because I wasn't watching when it ended!

FWIW, those are EL84, 8W (maybe 5W) versions, apparently you can get them in 8 or 18 (or switchable) running 6V6s now, which sounds very appealing, although 2X as much money as the used ones.

Having used Kasha stuff in the past, I'm confident the tone is there, it's just not a small investment for a lunchbox amp.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

Okay, I've just returned from the first onstage "test" and I can say that considering volume the EHX could go pretty well with the other mates' 50W JCM800 and Ampeg SVT4Pro gear but I must also add that we don't use insane onstage volume levels. I used a TriAc pre this time, the volume on that around 11 o'clock and the master volume of the 44Magnum around 10 o'clock was enough to roll along with them boys. I even had to roll it back a little

The only downside of this micro rig with a TriAc front-end is the TriAc front-end. For riffs, low-note work and AC DC chords it was pretty articulate but when it came to upper fret solos, it ate my playing dynamics, despite the mid-boost. Just a wild guess, maybe it's the the speaker emulation of the TriAc played through an another guitar speaker. The TriAc is an unit that mimics a mic'd rig after all. So, despite its uses in the studio, this SansAmp is perhaps not the perfect front-end for an EHX 44Magnum in a live band environment.

More onstage tests are needed with other preamps. I don't intend to carry my rackmount studio gear from gig to gig (man these are heavy) so I've ordered an AMT M1 that will arrive in a week or so. I'll record some samples.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

Plugged the EHX + TriAc into a normal 100W PA speaker today. Slightly better high-fret bite but still too muffled. Waiting for the M1.

 

[devastone]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

Keep us posted when you get the M1. I'm impressed with my SS-20 so far.

So, the EH 44 had plenty of clean headroom? Did the low end stay tight? I'm going to try to check one of these out this week.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

Thanks for the update. Please keep us posted when you get the M-1.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

You're welcome

This is a G1 + 44M + 1xT75 setup, I just wanted to test the "depth", the G1 is great for edgy and kicking metal sounds. EHX pedal is set @ 10 o'clock, with bright switch on. That was my stage setting, too. MP3 is unprocessed (no EQ, compression, whatsoever), beware of lows:

44magnum + Korg G1

So, the EH 44 had plenty of clean headroom? Did the low end stay tight?

Lows are quite fine I think but I would not say that it has too much headroom. It works a little similar to my old Selmer T'n'B. If you drive it above a level (where I begin to like it), it starts to compress, darken and distort the sound in a non-linear way that work for dirty sounds and doesn't really fit cleaner ones. The phenomenon is more organic with the all-tube Selmer but the response of the 44M still reminds me of that. Both can get pretty loud with a little turn of the knob and leave some breath for clean(ish) sounds below the break-up threshold. Certainly, this little EHX pedal will not replace a tube power amp but its rather warm sound places it among the feelgood noisemakers for me. Considering response, it beats certain tube heads...

My old backbones love it

 

[lareplus]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

Vox VT80+ is lightweight and 80 watts. . .has amp emulations and effects built in. .

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

The AMT pack arrived in the morning. Luckily, I had half a day off so I could play it a lot. The response and definition is great, it doesn't eat picking dynamics as the TriAc did so solos don't disappear at all. I'm sure the guitar speaker emulation of the TriAc running through an another guitar speaker was the reason, I've never noticed this when I played it through a mixing desk.

The AMT M1 was tested A/B/C with a JCM800 MKII and a JCM900 SL-X. The 44M + M1 pack is different but still feels to be a Marshall amp to me. The edge / attack is a little softer, it reminds me a bit of pre-800 era Marshalls, but with different grain. It accepts ODs / boosters / wahs (at least the ones I've tried so far) nicely just like the real thing. Also played it through the FX return of the JCM900 to compare the response of the AMT with a Marshall tube preamp. With similar gain, the original SL-X pre seems to have a richer texture and more fepth but the difference is not deadly at all. It's not a replacement but a nice substitute, just like it should be. It should work well onstage.

The only minor issue that I have with this preamp is the reaction for the guitar volume pot. It works but it also feels a little strange (especially with single coils) for me, I could imagine some smoother tracking.

Onstage test will have to wait until 12th of November but as far as it seems, the AMT M1 pre + EHX 44M PA is a good recipe for a compact, superlight live rig I needed. It's Marshall enough to make me feel good. Not 100% perfect but will do the job.

devastone, thanks again for suggesting AMT! Maybe a good news to you, the M1 seems to be more compatible with the 44M than either the TriAc or the G1. It's not about levels but feel and response. I think you can get it really loud and keep clean enough before it starts to "break" so it may be a good companion for your SS20 preamp.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

it is by no means a perfect amp but my small light amp is a C30 combo by Peavey... been using it for ages... has that dirty ACDC type sound when turned up and i add pedals for more gain... good cleans... for the $550-$650 new they rock...

 

[devastone]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

Thanks for the update on the AMT and 44! I'm actually looking for a small power amp, I think I want something cleaner than the 44, there are some 1/2 space 50 and 100W Stewart amps on ebay, I think I'm going to try to pick up one of those to use with my SS-20. I'm still intrigued by the 44, but afraid of running out of headroom. I wish someone around here had one in stock, because I might give it a try.

Glad you're liking the AMT stuff, I'm pretty blown away by it, the SS-20 sounds great direct!

 

[ErikH]

Thanks for the update. This sounds very promising. I'm still eyeing a S-1. That, a delay pedal and poweramp and I'm good to go through my 2x12.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

A brief month have passed and I used the AMT M1 + EHX44M onstage all around. Also, I used this setup in the studio for a number of recordings as well, for example the guitar solo for Linda Jo Rizzo's '80s disco remix was shot with this and it was used in a Tangerine Dream remix all over, too. It is not 100% identical with a Marshall tube head but it works. And it's fun to play.

But, the prime application why I got this one was replacing my heavy onstage rig to reduce the tenison on my aching spine. Approx. a dosen of gigs were played with this "suitcase amp". That will do it as some long-term driving test so some thoughts:


- Whenever there were adequate PA and adequate monitors - it worked pretty fine

- the M1 accepts stompboxes / WAHs very well, exactly like a JCM800

- in band environment it works like the real thing, as a lifelong Marshall player I tend to forget the fact that it's a trick micro amp and not one of my Marshalls

- the 44M is not extremely loud but loud enough, matches my 50W Marshall heads, running around 50% (as I usually set them onstage)

- the 44M reaches the audible volume top while it's clean around 11 o'clock and around 12 o'clock it begins to change the response, producing some gentle tube PA-like breakup. That's somewhere between 11 and 12 o'clock where it sounds the best with the AMT pedal IMO.

- overall, it is very articulate and defined, puts the guitar on the right place in the mix, nice sustain and response, pretty consistent sound anywhere


A recent handycam shot was uploaded by a fan of ours. The sound quality is not perfect but at least it's authentic live sound, coming from the big PA. Would you be able to tell that it's not one of my regular 50W Marshalls but this micro rig?

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

Sounds good to me.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

yep that works!

 

[everdrone]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

really awesome talent man! glad you found something that functionally serves the purpose. sounds great!! nice tone.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

Wow, that sounds awesome!

Also, you r band kicks ass - you especially. I dug it

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

Thanks for the feedback, I'm glad that you folks like it

The AMT M1 + EHX 44M combo saved me from a lot of pain. One day I will put an end to this but I'm seriously thinking about keeping this setup onstage afterwards.

 

[Animal]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

- Whenever there were adequate PA and adequate monitors - it worked pretty fine

Sound good! Are you running the 44 magnum into a proper guitar cabinet or foldback monitor? I've seen some venues that have a house 4x12 that can be used if one rocks up to a gig sans cabinet.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: Spines problems - micro rig?

It's driving a 16ohm 4x12 Silverblade guitar cabinet here (Vintage30). I've tried it with a broadband speaker but it was way too harsh for guitar.

One of the other options for small venues is that I feed the CAB SIM output of the M1 through a DI box right into the mixer and use the guitar cab and the Magnum for some comfortable onstage control only, usually placed on my side, not to affect front PA so much.

BTW Silverblade, they are bloody awesome, too:

http://www.silverbladeaudio.com/index2.html